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HeartWood
A blog about cultivating
creativity, connection and contentment
wherever you are

Celebrating Indie Bookstores

5/1/2019

12 Comments

 
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​Last Saturday I celebrated an occasion I’ve never celebrated before: Independent Bookstore Day. It was so much fun I plan to put it on my calendar every year.

PictureThe bookstore celebrated Independent Bookstore Day with a Michigan Author Jamboree
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​All around the country indie bookstores hosted special events, like the Michigan Author Jamboree my friend Janet and I attended at the Book Nook & Java Shop in Montague. A chilly wind just about blew us into the store, but inside by the fireplace, with warm drinks in hand, all was cozy.

PictureIngar Rudholm led an informative workshop
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​The event opened with a workshop on how to present your book to prospective readers. Led by author Ingar Rudholm, the workshop offered easy-to-apply tips on quickly engaging readers and keeping their attention. 

​We all had a chance to practice our book pitches during the workshop. And it was a good thing we did, because after the workshop, any authors who wished to do so were given ten minutes to get up on stage and talk about their books to an audience of readers.
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Janet Glaser, who writes as J.Q. Rose, discussed her books
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Historical fiction author Jules Nelson told the audience about her work
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Author Andrew Allen Smith emceed the author talks
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Ingar followed his own advice about using props to keep readers' interest
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Author Bonnie Jeane-Marie told how she came to write an inspirational book
PictureMy very first author display!
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​Following those presentations, authors signed and sold books at tables near the front of the store. Even though I won’t have books to sell until October, I took the opportunity to spread the word about Mango Rash, hand out information cards, and sign up subscribers to my newsletter, Mango Meanderings.

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Author Kelsey Mecher-Wentzloff with her book of movie quotations
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Author D.A. Reed signs books
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A selection of D.A.'s books, along with those of fellow author Andrew Allen Smith
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Author L.M. Ransom preparing for the book signing
PictureAuthors D.A. Reed (left) and Janet Vormittag (right) talk with a store visitor

​Beyond promoting my own book, though, I was excited to connect with other Michigan authors. It’s always interesting to hear how authors began writing and what led them to write the kinds of books they write. I also learned about Written in the Mitten, an online community of published and aspiring authors that shares information on local author events.

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​​Most of all, I was happy to show my support for independent bookstores. These welcoming spaces are more than stores, often serving as community hubs and performance venues. They enrich their neighborhoods and boost local economies. As publishing professional Valerie Peterson noted in a 2017 article, even some well-known authors got their start at local independent booksellers. “For example,” she wrote, “Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi hosted an unknown John Grisham's first book signing event.”

PictureBooks by Jules Nelson, Bonnie Jeane-Marie, and Andrew Allen Smith
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​So mark your calendar for the last Saturday in April 2020 and plan to celebrate next year’s Independent Bookstore Day. But don’t wait until then to celebrate independent bookstores. Visit often, and buy books!

​As for me, I’m heading off tonight to Flying Bear Books for poetry night.
12 Comments
Rachel
5/1/2019 07:47:36 am

I love this idea Nancy- how cool! and sooo great seeing your Mango Rash display-- woohoo!!

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Nan
5/1/2019 08:02:10 am

Thanks, Rachel! Wish you could've been there. Maybe I'll hit one in your neighborhood some day.

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Janet Glaser link
5/1/2019 08:12:31 am

Great report on the bookstore celebration and beautiful pictures to go with it. Looking forward to next year.

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Nan
5/1/2019 08:38:52 am

I'm looking forward to next year, too, Janet. It was fun going with you to this event. And next time I'll even have books to sell!

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Nita
5/1/2019 08:18:28 pm

Great event! Thanks for spreading the word. Exciting to see the display for Mango Rash!!!!

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Nan
5/2/2019 07:05:35 am

Thanks, Nita! I look forward to more events like this one.

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Sue Schneider
5/5/2019 06:32:50 pm

Fascinating as usual. I’m always happy to learn new things from your blog. Thanks for writing about interesting things.

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Nan
5/7/2019 06:24:31 am

Thank you, Sue. And don't forget, I'm always open to suggestions for topics to take up on HeartWood.

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Katherine Myers
5/9/2019 02:21:36 pm

Your first display looks fabulous! I usually donate books weeded from my collection to our public library, but this time I took four large bags to Boarding House Books, the indie store where you bought me the gift certificate. I decided that even though I may not spend the credit I received, that was okay. Claremore is lucky to have an independent bookstore, and I don't mind at all adding to their stock if that helps them stay in business!

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Nan
5/14/2019 07:19:00 am

Great idea, Katherine! (And I'm glad to hear that Boarding House Books is still in business. Hope to visit it when I'm down that way.)

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Sally Kane
5/24/2019 06:33:10 am

What a passionate and informative story. Your photos brought me right into the workshop. Next year, I want to go, too. Also, you've collected an enticing array of "praises" for Mango Rash, beautifully described and launching it with wings. Yah-hoo.

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MckinneyVia link
2/15/2022 08:58:38 pm


Very much appreciated. Thank you for this excellent article. Keep posting!

Reply



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    Nan Sanders Pokerwinski, a former journalist, writes memoir and personal essays, makes collages and likes to play outside. She lives in West Michigan with her husband, Ray.

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